Shells have played a significant role in advancement of human culture since several centuries. Hu... more Shells have played a significant role in advancement of human culture since several centuries. Humankind has always been fascinated by molluscan shells and has discovered multiple uses of seashells. The importance of shells to human culture is reflected in some masterpieces. The chapter starts with a description of some paintings, which use sea shells as signifiers and then focuses on shell art and shell craft of Goa. Shells form one of the key elements in some paintings to signify a deeper meaning and serve as metaphor to many attributes of life. The significance of shells is evident in its use in shell craft and architecture. This chapter presents a brief case study of shell windows peculiar to Goa. This chapter also refers to sand art on Goan beaches, some beach installations that involve exclusive use of sea shells and shell paintings. There is reference to use of shells in various Goan craft items such as furniture, mirrors, door hangings, cutlery and jewellery. The chapter ends with a brief reference to regulatory interventions by Parliament of India aimed at conservation of molluscs.
Shells are important to the living organism that produce them as well as to humans in several way... more Shells are important to the living organism that produce them as well as to humans in several ways. Importance of molluscan shells to living organisms, coastal processes, in reconstructions of climatic conditions of the atmosphere, providing links to evolution, biostratigraphy, studying human behaviour of hominins and hominids, in human use such as currency, clothing, dyes, drugs and medicines, as well as in rituals and ceremonies, history and mythology, religion, and human culture is described in the chapter. Use of Indian conch shell, which is believed to resonate sound of Om, the origin of cosmic sound vibrations, is described briefly. One of the weirdest uses of sea shells in history has been in assassination attempts that are described here. The chapter also comments on significance of shell symbols. Further, some literary works demonstrate importance of marine shells in expanding our knowledge of palaeontology, evolution and geology. The chapter refers to a few of such literary works on shells, their writers and cite some of their writings to showcase contribution of marine shells in uncovering mysteries of nature, validating different hypotheses, exposing some theories that were then existent and enlightening scientists with the secrets of Mother Earth. The chapter concludes with some examples of idioms and proverbs using shells, either as metaphor, or euphemism or any other figure of speech to communicate meaningfully.
A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastate... more A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastated the lives, property and infrastructure of coastal communities in the coastal states of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand. This event attracted the attention of environmental managers at all levels, local, national, regional and global. It also shifted the focus from the impact of human activities on the environment to the impacts of natural hazards. Recovery/reconstruction of these areas is highly challenging. A clear understanding of the complex dynamics of the coast and the types of challenges faced by the several stakeholders of the coast is required. Issues such as sustainability, equity and community participation assume importance. The concept of ICZM (integrated coastal zone management) has been effectively used in most parts of the world. This concept emphasizes the holistic assessment of the coast and a multidisciplinary analysis using participatory processes. It integrates anthropocentric and eco-centric approaches. This paper documents several issues involved in the recovery of tsunami-affected areas and recommends the application of the ICZM concept to the reconstruction efforts.
A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastate... more A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastated the lives, property and infrastructure of coastal communities in the coastal states of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand. This event attracted the attention of environmental managers at all levels, local, national, regional and global. It also shifted the focus from the impact of human activities on the environment to the impacts of natural hazards.Recovery/reconstruction of these areas is highly challenging. A clear understanding of the complex dynamics of the coast and the types of challenges faced by the several stakeholders of the coast is required. Issues such as sustainability, equity and community participation assume importance. The concept of ICZM (integrated coastal zone management) has been effectively used in most parts of the world. This concept emphasizes the holistic assessment of the coast and a multidisciplinary analysis us...
India is one of the world's largest and oldest agricultural societies. Agriculture is a part ... more India is one of the world's largest and oldest agricultural societies. Agriculture is a part of livelihood of most of the rural households in India. During the past decades the agriculture sector in India has undergone wide ranging changes in terms of productivity, growth pattern, influenced by market fluctuations, urbanization and change in climatic conditions. About 50 years ago farming
ABSTRACT The crystal violet microplate adhension assay was modified to evaluate bacterial adhesio... more ABSTRACT The crystal violet microplate adhension assay was modified to evaluate bacterial adhesion to metal and non-metal surfaces. Both viable cell count and the absorbance of the crystal violet stained cells attached to aluminium increased over the period of ineubation. There was a highly significant positive linear relationship between crystal violet stained attached cells and the viable cell count of cells attached to aluminium panels (r = 0.9997; p less than 0.001: n = 6). The method is relatively simple, sensitive, less time consuming and therefore many samples can be analysed in a short period of time. When the calibrated method was employed to assess the attachment of Vibrio sp to polystyrene, stainless steel and copper, it give a fairly reliable estimate of bacterial adhension to these surfaces
Current fishing practices show a global trend of stock depletions. Overfishing was recognized as ... more Current fishing practices show a global trend of stock depletions. Overfishing was recognized as an international problem in the early 1900s and since then has drawn attention of a number of international programmes, especially directed at environmental managers and the governments of many nations. However, the common pool nature of fish resources poses constraints for management. In particular, multispecies fisheries, as found in South Asian waters, have complex dynamics and pose additional constraints for management. The use of closed season/areas to control fishing efforts is a basic management tool in fisheries. The breeding season varies for different species and, hence, the closed season (and/or area) must be targeted at certain critical time periods (and/or habitats) of importance to key species. Such regulations made by the legislature, executive, or, at times, by the judiciary give rise to conflicts between industrial and traditional fishers and between the different instit...
There are several methods to assess bacterial adhesion to metal surfaces. Although these methods ... more There are several methods to assess bacterial adhesion to metal surfaces. Although these methods are sensitive, they are time consuming and need expensive chemicals and instruments. Hence, their use in assessing bacterial adhesion is limited. Therefore, a simple spectrophotometric method was developed to evaluate bacterial adhesion to metal surface. The method was calibrated using a bacterium Vibrio sp. and aluminium as a model organism and substratum, respectively. The method involves staining attached bacterial cells with crystal violet (0.5%). The crystal violet stain from the cells was eluted with an aqueous solution of sodium deoxycholate (2%). The absorbance of the crystal violet stain in deoxycholate was measured at 570 nm. The viable cell count of the attached bacterial cells was also measured using coventional plating technique. Relationship between the absorbance of crystal violet stained attached cells and the viable cell count of the attached bacteria was assessed using ...
Shells have played a significant role in advancement of human culture since several centuries. Hu... more Shells have played a significant role in advancement of human culture since several centuries. Humankind has always been fascinated by molluscan shells and has discovered multiple uses of seashells. The importance of shells to human culture is reflected in some masterpieces. The chapter starts with a description of some paintings, which use sea shells as signifiers and then focuses on shell art and shell craft of Goa. Shells form one of the key elements in some paintings to signify a deeper meaning and serve as metaphor to many attributes of life. The significance of shells is evident in its use in shell craft and architecture. This chapter presents a brief case study of shell windows peculiar to Goa. This chapter also refers to sand art on Goan beaches, some beach installations that involve exclusive use of sea shells and shell paintings. There is reference to use of shells in various Goan craft items such as furniture, mirrors, door hangings, cutlery and jewellery. The chapter ends with a brief reference to regulatory interventions by Parliament of India aimed at conservation of molluscs.
Shells are important to the living organism that produce them as well as to humans in several way... more Shells are important to the living organism that produce them as well as to humans in several ways. Importance of molluscan shells to living organisms, coastal processes, in reconstructions of climatic conditions of the atmosphere, providing links to evolution, biostratigraphy, studying human behaviour of hominins and hominids, in human use such as currency, clothing, dyes, drugs and medicines, as well as in rituals and ceremonies, history and mythology, religion, and human culture is described in the chapter. Use of Indian conch shell, which is believed to resonate sound of Om, the origin of cosmic sound vibrations, is described briefly. One of the weirdest uses of sea shells in history has been in assassination attempts that are described here. The chapter also comments on significance of shell symbols. Further, some literary works demonstrate importance of marine shells in expanding our knowledge of palaeontology, evolution and geology. The chapter refers to a few of such literary works on shells, their writers and cite some of their writings to showcase contribution of marine shells in uncovering mysteries of nature, validating different hypotheses, exposing some theories that were then existent and enlightening scientists with the secrets of Mother Earth. The chapter concludes with some examples of idioms and proverbs using shells, either as metaphor, or euphemism or any other figure of speech to communicate meaningfully.
A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastate... more A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastated the lives, property and infrastructure of coastal communities in the coastal states of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand. This event attracted the attention of environmental managers at all levels, local, national, regional and global. It also shifted the focus from the impact of human activities on the environment to the impacts of natural hazards. Recovery/reconstruction of these areas is highly challenging. A clear understanding of the complex dynamics of the coast and the types of challenges faced by the several stakeholders of the coast is required. Issues such as sustainability, equity and community participation assume importance. The concept of ICZM (integrated coastal zone management) has been effectively used in most parts of the world. This concept emphasizes the holistic assessment of the coast and a multidisciplinary analysis using participatory processes. It integrates anthropocentric and eco-centric approaches. This paper documents several issues involved in the recovery of tsunami-affected areas and recommends the application of the ICZM concept to the reconstruction efforts.
A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastate... more A tsunami, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, greatly devastated the lives, property and infrastructure of coastal communities in the coastal states of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand. This event attracted the attention of environmental managers at all levels, local, national, regional and global. It also shifted the focus from the impact of human activities on the environment to the impacts of natural hazards.Recovery/reconstruction of these areas is highly challenging. A clear understanding of the complex dynamics of the coast and the types of challenges faced by the several stakeholders of the coast is required. Issues such as sustainability, equity and community participation assume importance. The concept of ICZM (integrated coastal zone management) has been effectively used in most parts of the world. This concept emphasizes the holistic assessment of the coast and a multidisciplinary analysis us...
India is one of the world's largest and oldest agricultural societies. Agriculture is a part ... more India is one of the world's largest and oldest agricultural societies. Agriculture is a part of livelihood of most of the rural households in India. During the past decades the agriculture sector in India has undergone wide ranging changes in terms of productivity, growth pattern, influenced by market fluctuations, urbanization and change in climatic conditions. About 50 years ago farming
ABSTRACT The crystal violet microplate adhension assay was modified to evaluate bacterial adhesio... more ABSTRACT The crystal violet microplate adhension assay was modified to evaluate bacterial adhesion to metal and non-metal surfaces. Both viable cell count and the absorbance of the crystal violet stained cells attached to aluminium increased over the period of ineubation. There was a highly significant positive linear relationship between crystal violet stained attached cells and the viable cell count of cells attached to aluminium panels (r = 0.9997; p less than 0.001: n = 6). The method is relatively simple, sensitive, less time consuming and therefore many samples can be analysed in a short period of time. When the calibrated method was employed to assess the attachment of Vibrio sp to polystyrene, stainless steel and copper, it give a fairly reliable estimate of bacterial adhension to these surfaces
Current fishing practices show a global trend of stock depletions. Overfishing was recognized as ... more Current fishing practices show a global trend of stock depletions. Overfishing was recognized as an international problem in the early 1900s and since then has drawn attention of a number of international programmes, especially directed at environmental managers and the governments of many nations. However, the common pool nature of fish resources poses constraints for management. In particular, multispecies fisheries, as found in South Asian waters, have complex dynamics and pose additional constraints for management. The use of closed season/areas to control fishing efforts is a basic management tool in fisheries. The breeding season varies for different species and, hence, the closed season (and/or area) must be targeted at certain critical time periods (and/or habitats) of importance to key species. Such regulations made by the legislature, executive, or, at times, by the judiciary give rise to conflicts between industrial and traditional fishers and between the different instit...
There are several methods to assess bacterial adhesion to metal surfaces. Although these methods ... more There are several methods to assess bacterial adhesion to metal surfaces. Although these methods are sensitive, they are time consuming and need expensive chemicals and instruments. Hence, their use in assessing bacterial adhesion is limited. Therefore, a simple spectrophotometric method was developed to evaluate bacterial adhesion to metal surface. The method was calibrated using a bacterium Vibrio sp. and aluminium as a model organism and substratum, respectively. The method involves staining attached bacterial cells with crystal violet (0.5%). The crystal violet stain from the cells was eluted with an aqueous solution of sodium deoxycholate (2%). The absorbance of the crystal violet stain in deoxycholate was measured at 570 nm. The viable cell count of the attached bacterial cells was also measured using coventional plating technique. Relationship between the absorbance of crystal violet stained attached cells and the viable cell count of the attached bacteria was assessed using ...
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